Peonies Not Blooming? Here’s What Could Be Wrong

Peonies are much-adored early summer flowers, but occasionally there are issues that can result in peonies not blooming. Sometimes it’s a disease that causes peony buds not to open. Other times improper planting, plant age and health, or the wrong growing conditions are the reason why your peonies haven’t flowered. In this article, I’ll outline seven reasons why peony plants fail to bloom and share what you can do to identify and fix the problem.

What to do if you have peonies not blooming

It’s always heartbreaking when peony plants don’t bloom, especially because peonies are perennials that are considered easy to grow. They are not fussy about soil conditions, and they make great cut flowers. Plus, peonies are resistant to most insect pests and deer, so there’s no need for insecticides or deer repellents. There are many different types of peonies you can grow in the garden, with blooms that come in various shades of white, pink, and red.

If your peony plant did not produce flowers this season, don’t be disheartened. In almost every case, the problem can be identified with a little detective work and then easily solved. Let’s dig into the most common reasons peonies fail to bloom so that you can solve the problem and make sure next year’s bloom is guaranteed.

8 possible reasons for peonies not blooming — If your peony plant has lush foliage but the buds never form in the first place or the flowers never open, there are several possible reasons why.

Are ants responsible for peonies not blooming?

I’ll start by noting that many people blame peonies not blooming on a lack of ants. However, this is nothing more than a myth. Ants are not responsible for opening peony buds. If you spy ants crawling around on your plants (as they commonly do), it’s only because they are feeding on extra-floral nectar (EFN) that is produced by peony plants, primarily on the exterior of the buds and at leaf nodes.

Many different plants produce EFN, including sunflowers, beans, and elderberries, to name just a few. Scientists think EFN is produced as a sweet reward to encourage beneficial predatory insects like ladybugs and syrphid flies to stick around and protect the plant from pest insects. The ants on your peonies are just joining the party. So, whether or not you see ants on your peony buds in late spring, know that their presence – or absence, as the case may be – does not affect flowering.

Why peonies sometimes don't bloom — Ants are not responsible for opening peony buds so don’t worry if you don’t see any on your plants.

7 Reasons for peonies not blooming

Now it’s time to dig into the real reasons for peonies not blooming. Your first step is to ensure you are properly fertilizing your peony plants (more about the nutrients peonies need here) and cutting them back at the best time of year (more about peony pruning here). If you are doing these two things correctly, then it’s time to start examining other possible causes.

Reason 1: The wrong peony planting depth

Peonies are planted as either bare roots with no soil on them or as potted plants. The most common reason peonies fail to bloom is because they are planted too deeply in the ground. Unlike bulb plants such as daffodils and tulips, which are planted to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, peony tubers should be planted only one inch deep. Peony root systems are thick and chunky and covered in “eyes” (aka underground buds). These “eyes” will each develop into a stem with leaves and a flower bud. If the “eyes” are too deep beneath the soil level, your peony plant will be “blind,” which is the term for a peony stem that produces leaves but no flowers.

When you plant peony roots, dig a wide but shallow hole so the “eyes” are only one inch beneath the soil’s surface. Place the root horizontally in the hole, not vertically. The roots grow just beneath the soil surface; they spread wide, but not deep.

Add only a light layer of compost or another mulch to the top of the soil after planting. Adding too much mulch buries the roots too deeply and can also affect flowering.

Peonies not blooming? Here are 8 possible reasons why. — The thick roots of peonies should be planted so their “eyes” are only an inch beneath the soil surface. Planting too deeply will result in a “blind” plant that does not flower.

Reason 2: Fungal diseases of peonies

Occasionally, fungal diseases are to blame for peonies not blooming. If buds have developed but they are small and soft and squishy, botrytis blight (also called gray mold) may be to blame. Botrytis can also cause more mature peony buds in the “marshmallow stage” to rot. The marshmallow stage is when the bud is soft and marshmallow-y when you squeeze it, and the petals are showing color. Botrytis that strikes at this stage causes the outer petals to turn brown and the buds never fully open. When botrytis strikes in early spring, the result can be rotten buds and no flowering.

Botrytis is particularly prevalent in very wet springs because constantly wet foliage is a haven for fungal spores. While you can’t stop the rain, you can help prevent this disease by giving each plant plenty of room, which improves air circulation around the new growth and allows the buds to dry faster after a rain. And just because botrytis affected this year’s flowering, it does not mean the same thing will happen next year. In the fall, cut back and dispose of any diseased peony foliage to help prevent botrytis spores from returning next year. Organic fungicides can help, too, but aren’t typically necessary.

Diseased foliage in later summer is often the result of powdery mildew. Powdery mildew causes the stem and leaves of peonies to look like they are dusted in white talcum powder. This disease typically occurs long after the plant has bloomed and is not to blame for peonies not flowering.

Diseases of peony plants and how they affect flowering — Botrytis can strike when the buds are in the marshmallow stage, preventing them from fully opening and causing them to rot.

Reason 3: The age of your peony plant

Another reason your plant may not be developing flower buds is because it is not mature enough. Peonies need to be a few years old before they bloom. Their root system must be strong enough to form eyes, so if the root piece you planted was kind of wimpy, just give it a few years. Many times, the first 2 to 3 years will only produce shoots and leaves. The flower buds will come once the plant and its root system are big and strong enough.

How old to peony plants need to be before they flower? — Peony plants must be several years old before they’ll bloom. Be patient.

Reason 4: Recent peony division or transplanting

If you recently transplanted or divided your peony plant, you can expect a year or two with no blooms. Transplantation and division are quite stressful on a peony plant, so give it time to recover. The best time to divide and move peonies is in the late summer or early autumn, anytime from late July through August and into September and October. The following spring don’t expect to see any flowers at all. Be patient. As long as the plant was planted to the correct depth, blooms should be on their way soon enough.

What to do when the buds never open on your peony plants — This peony division has just been transplanted. It may take several years for it to flower.

Reason 5: Not enough sunlight

Peonies require full sun. If the plant does not receive enough sunlight, it can’t conduct the level of photosynthesis required to produce ample carbohydrates to fuel next year’s bud production. Too much shade results in spindly plants with slender stems and no flower buds. A site that receives at least 8 hours of full sun per day is ideal. If you suspect this is the reason for your peonies not blooming, move them to a sunnier spot in the autumn.

Reason 6: Damage to the buds

Peonies are very hardy plants. Their roots survive winter temperatures down to -50 degrees F when they are nestled safely underground. The roots easily survive the hard freeze and thaw cycles of winters without issue. However, peony flower buds are not nearly as tough. If the plant has sprouted and buds have developed and you get a late freeze, the buds can be damaged and even destroyed. There’s little you can do to control this, and most of the time, a light late frost is not a concern. It’s only if you get a very hard freeze that it’s worth worrying about. Covering plants with a layer of row cover can help protect them if temperatures dip very low after the buds have set.

How to make sure your peonies always bloom — For peonies to flower properly, they need to be planted in full sun conditions.

Reason 7: Peonies not blooming because you live in the wrong zone

The final possible cause for peonies not blooming is the climate where you live. Peonies require a long winter chill period in order to break dormancy and produce flower buds. Temperatures between 32 and 40 degrees F for an accumulated 500-1000 hours (depending on the variety) are essential for peony growth and development. If you are a grower in a warmer climate, this is likely to be the reason why your peonies aren’t flowering. The ideal hardiness zone range for peonies is USDA zones 3 through 7. Sometimes you can get peonies to bloom in zone 8, but you’ll need to look for varieties that tolerate warmer conditions. Tree peonies are a good option for warmer climates.

The best climates for growing peony plants — Peony plants require a set number of hours of cold temperatures in order to break dormancy and flower. If you live in a warm climate, you’ll have trouble growing peonies.

Bloom on

Now that you know the possible reasons for peonies not blooming, hopefully you’ve also unlocked the solution. Here’s to many years of beautiful blooms to come!

For more on growing peonies and other popular flowers, please visit the following articles:

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